Hi folks,

My 1999 Octavia has only done 30,000 in the last 4 years ........should I be changing the cambelt ?(4 years or 70,000mile intervals, I think).

Thanks,

David

You need to change it at least every 4 years, so yes even with 30K miles in 4 years it needs changing. its not just mileage thats important, the belt also ages and the material they are made from degrades over time.

In the original czech Skoda manual, says clear (i read it) : interval for changing timing belt is 180.000km.Change is sooner if looks damaged or worn

The dealers says 4 years and some mileage like 90.000 km ... for me is not relevant.Just f888 them,they want every thing changed.

I personally e-mailed Continental to ask them what is the maximum interval for the timing belt on 1.8T ....the answer was clear 8 years .

Mine is 60.000km and 5 years and will stay on the car at least 2 more years.Looks perfect,even the writing is clear.Is OEM Gates

Now you got all the infos,the decision is all yours!

Edited 19 October, 201213 yr by IulianE

I have to say, having removed mine which clearly hadn't been replaced at nearly 9 years old, 4 years is absolutely ridiculous. Mine had also done 60,000 miles and showed no signs of perishing, cracking etc. Tooth condition was good, backing was good...

Don't let the non-engineers panic you.

Having said this, it's not difficult to inspect the condition of the belt, so don't just take anybodys word for it, have a good look, and make your decision based on that.

In the UK the manual is very different and specifies a maximum of 4 years or a set mileage. Having seen belts fail at considerably less than 180K KMS, I know which I'd prefer. £300 for a belt, or scrap the car due uneconomic repair.

You cannot say the the belt currently on the car is an OEM one, it could be a cheap aftermarket one since the car should have already had 2 replacements before now if following Skoda UK requirements.

And who's writing and translating the UK manuals? The main dealer or the main importer,both share the same interests.

We are talking about OEM belts or OEM manufacturers like Gates and Continental....we are not talking about no name belts snapped after 20 000 miles.

It was like 6 months ago,I changed the timing belt on a Opel Astra G ,the belt snapped after 28.000km....but was a rubbish no name ,and was shorter in width by 4 mm.Luckly the engine survived with only 6 bend valves

Another example of dealer greed...My frind has a 2009 Cee'd bought from new....the dealer want to change the spark plugs on the 1.4i after 30.000km (18.000 miles)...I never heard a shorter interval for plugs than 60.000 km . A Renault dealer wants to change the low beam bulbs (on a Laguna) after 90.000 km....but the bulbs are working fine... this is menthal!

Edited 19 October, 201213 yr by IulianE

In the UK the manual is very different and specifies a maximum of 4 years or a set mileage. Having seen belts fail at considerably less than 180K KMS, I know which I'd prefer. £300 for a belt, or scrap the car due uneconomic repair.

You cannot say the the belt currently on the car is an OEM one, it could be a cheap aftermarket one since the car should have already had 2 replacements before now if following Skoda UK requirements.

I'm my UK manual it said 120k for my old 1.8 20v (no time frame mentioned at all!) and 100k for my 1.9TDi 110 (also no time frame mentioned)

Personally I refuse to fit any belts other than Gates or OEM, often preferring Gates. I wouldn't even entertain the idea of using cheaper.

One thing that made me laugh, was my old Volvo V40 service manual. The belt change was due at 80,000 miles, then at 180,000 miles.

So what, they're saying that the original belt is cr@p...?

I changed my mk1 octy vrs cambelt at 109,000miles, the manual states 180,000km for 1.8T engines, but it is better to be safe than sorry :-)

I had mine done at 70k miles . My and my car is 9 years old an was on it's original cambelt . The belt itself looked like it would do another 70k miles . Although the water pump had began to leak slightly .

gates or oe all the way,

VAG have changed the requirement for changing cambelts as far as i know across the board, better to be safe that sorry mentality.., plus cheaper than being sued for a belt failing prematurely.

AM sure the 6yrs original or 60k will be fine, however if its a performance car, and you plan to tune or if you just want to keep your car in the best possible condition then you would be crazy not to do it a bit more regularly.